In a dramatic moment during the UFC 312 main event, popular podcast host and commentator Joe Rogan’s live reaction captured the exact instance when middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis delivered a devastating blow to Sean Strickland’s nose.
“Oh, he hurt him. He hurt him. He hurt him,” Rogan exclaimed repeatedly as Du Plessis landed the decisive strike in the fourth round. The impact of the hit was immediately apparent, prompting Rogan to question, “Did he break his nose?”
Rogan’s commentary intensified as he observed the severity of the injury. “The bridge of the nose? Yeah, yeah, yeah. His nose is broken,” he confirmed, his voice rising with concern. “He smells it too. That nose is a mess. That’s not good. My god, he’s leaking.”
The injury proved to be a turning point in the championship bout, which Du Plessis ultimately won by unanimous decision (50-45, 50-45, 49-46). The South African champion dominated the latter portion of the match, though was unable to secure a finish against a remarkably resilient Strickland.
Following his victory, Du Plessis channeled his inner warrior, quoting from the movie Troy: “Is there no one else? Is there no one else?!?”
The damage inflicted was particularly visible during the fourth round, with Rogan providing a visceral play-by-play of the aftermath. “Look at his nose, dude. It’s shattered,” he commented, followed by his signature “Oh my goodness” as replays showed the precise moment of impact.
The victory marked Du Plessis’s second successful defense of his title, further cementing his position at the top of the middleweight division, with speculation pointing to Khamzat Chimaev as his next potential challenger.
Dricus Du Plessis breaks Sean Strickland’s nose #UFC312 | #UFC
pic.twitter.com/c9RgEsSZdN— Delinquent MMA (@DelinquentMMA) February 9, 2025
